Mark Tsikerdanos (130) and Mack Lewnes (160) won titles and Danny Whitenak (103) posted a second-place finish to lead Mount St. Joseph to the team championship in the PowerAde Tournament at Canon-McMillan High in Canonsburg, Pa., on Wednesday and Thursday. In all, eight Gaels wrestlers recorded top-eight finishes in their weight classes at the 33-team event, including Greg Gold (seventh at 112), Jon Kohler (fifth, 135), Alex Ward (fourth, 140), Jake Bohn (eighth, 171) and Kevin O'Connor (fifth, 189)

Mark Tsikerdanos (130) and Mack Lewnes (160) won titles and Danny Whitenak (103) posted a second-place finish to lead Mount St. Joseph to the team championship in the PowerAde Tournament at Canon-McMillan High in Canonsburg, Pa., on Wednesday and Thursday. In all, eight Gaels wrestlers recorded top-eight finishes in their weight classes at the 33-team event, including Greg Gold (seventh at 112), Jon Kohler (fifth, 135), Alex Ward (fourth, 140), Jake Bohn (eighth, 171) and Kevin O'Connor (fifth, 189)

On the morning after Thanksgiving, Mount St. Joseph head coach Jay Braunstein was not a happy man. Days earlier, his Gaels wrestlers had not looked sharp in a scrimmage with Anne Arundel County power Old Mill. And during the Friday practice, they still were not executing routine moves with precision. These were hardly the characteristics of a team that enters the season ranked No. 13 nationally by The Amateur Wrestling News. So not long after two wrestlers arrived late for that morning's practice, assistant coach Dan Youngblood let everyone know about it. "I want to see intensity the entire time," said Youngblood.

Mount St. Joseph's Mack Lewnes recorded three pins, two major decisions and a decision en route to winning the title at Saturday's National Preps Tournament at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. Lewnes, the nation's top-ranked sophomore at 152 pounds, scored a 13-2 major decision over Ryan Kennett of the Haverford School in the championship bout. Kennett was coming off a 2-1 overtime win in the semifinals against Mike Gallante of Blair Academy, N.J., with whom Lewnes had split bouts earlier this season.

Kevin O'Connor, owner of Kevin's Katering in Sykesville, doesn't do all his carving in the kitchen with well-honed knives. He is often out on the sidewalk with a chain saw.Mr. O'Connor, who set up shop in Sykesville about 10 years ago, satisfies his artistic cravings with a sideline in ice carving. In his outdoor studio -- usually on Main Street and always open to the public -- he regularly transforms 300-pound blocks of ice into chilly masterpieces.Town residents often see him sawing his way through solid ice, chipping away until he has lovebirds for a wedding reception or a customized centerpiece for a client's special party.

Centennial had too much of everything for Francis Scott Key last night and waltzed to an 86-78 victory in the boys championship game of the North Carroll Holiday basketball tournament.The Eagles (6-2) won their sixth straight game with a balanced scoring attack and an ability to score at will.Centennial coach Jim Hill went to his bench early and often and 11 players got into the scoring column, led by senior guard Kurt Weitzel's 17 points.Kevin O'Connor (14 points), David Hudson (13) and Seann Jones (12)

By Luke Broadwater and Luke Broadwater,SPECIAL TO THE SUN | February 15, 2004

A few weeks into the wrestling season, Mount St. Joseph coach Jay Braunstein began to question his decision to put his team through a grueling schedule that included three of the top 10 tournaments in the country. "I really had second thoughts," Braunstein said. "I was worried that I was taking these kids out to the wolves." But the decision paid off for Braunstein yesterday as his Gaels broke tournament records for points and finalists in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association tournament at Mount St. Joe. Braunstein's Gaels scored 311.5 points, put 11 wrestlers in the finals and had six titlists.

Mount St. Joseph's Mack Lewnes recorded three pins, two major decisions and a decision en route to winning the title at Saturday's National Preps Tournament at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. Lewnes, the nation's top-ranked sophomore at 152 pounds, scored a 13-2 major decision over Ryan Kennett of the Haverford School in the championship bout. Kennett was coming off a 2-1 overtime win in the semifinals against Mike Gallante of Blair Academy, N.J., with whom Lewnes had split bouts earlier this season.

By Luke Broadwater and Luke Broadwater,SPECIAL TO THE SUN | February 15, 2004

A few weeks into the wrestling season, Mount St. Joseph coach Jay Braunstein began to question his decision to put his team through a grueling schedule that included three of the top 10 tournaments in the country. "I really had second thoughts," Braunstein said. "I was worried that I was taking these kids out to the wolves." But the decision paid off for Braunstein yesterday as his Gaels broke tournament records for points and finalists in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association tournament at Mount St. Joe. Braunstein's Gaels scored 311.5 points, put 11 wrestlers in the finals and had six titlists.

TonightNo. 14 Centennial (4-0) at No. 13 Howard (3-1)Time: 7:30Outlook: This is the most anticipated game of the season so far. The Eagles handed defending county champion Howard its sole regular-season defeat last season, 18-15. Centennial averages 38 points per game while allowing 10. The Eagles have created 13 turnovers and made only five. Centennial normally runs out of an I-formation but can show a double tight end, a double wide receiver or motion. With center Andy Frank, guards Jeff Conner, John Coles and Mike McLaine and tackles John O'Connor and Aaron Perkins, the line is big and strong and has allowed RB Robbie Hauff to rush 85 times for 722 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Centennial had too much of everything for Francis Scott Key last night and waltzed to an 86-78 victory in the boys championship game of the North Carroll Holiday basketball tournament.The Eagles (6-2) won their sixth straight game with a balanced scoring attack and an ability to score at will.Centennial coach Jim Hill went to his bench early and often and 11 players got into the scoring column, led by senior guard Kurt Weitzel's 17 points.Kevin O'Connor (14 points), David Hudson (13) and Seann Jones (12)

/TC Back in August, several of the county's football coaches speculated that, with so many fine seniors having graduated and so many younger players taking their place, the county would see a dip in the quality of play this fall.With the regular season ended, the level of play question may be open to debate, but one thing is clear. Many of the league's underclassmen -- the majority of them varsity newcomers -- took advantage of their increased playing time and emerged as outstanding players.

The 1992 season is rapidly developing into the Year of the Running Back.Unlike previous seasons, in which one or two runners -- usually from Wilde Lake and Oakland Mills -- have emerged as the class of the county, backfield stars are popping up all over the league. In the process, most of them are making their teams look like contenders as the season approaches its midpoint.The workhorse of the bunch has been Paul Brosenne, who has carried Glenelg to a 3-1 start, its best opening month in years.

Kevin O'Connor, owner of Kevin's Katering in Sykesville, doesn't do all his carving in the kitchen with well-honed knives. He is often out on the sidewalk with a chain saw.Mr. O'Connor, who set up shop in Sykesville about 10 years ago, satisfies his artistic cravings with a sideline in ice carving. In his outdoor studio -- usually on Main Street and always open to the public -- he regularly transforms 300-pound blocks of ice into chilly masterpieces.Town residents often see him sawing his way through solid ice, chipping away until he has lovebirds for a wedding reception or a customized centerpiece for a client's special party.

/TC Back in August, several of the county's football coaches speculated that, with so many fine seniors having graduated and so many younger players taking their place, the county would see a dip in the quality of play this fall.With the regular season ended, the level of play question may be open to debate, but one thing is clear. Many of the league's underclassmen -- the majority of them varsity newcomers -- took advantage of their increased playing time and emerged as outstanding players.